License-plate



6 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLF G. SO MMERFELD, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

LICENSE-PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,199, dated April 6, 1897.

Application filed June 27, 1896. Serial No. 597,107. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDoLE G. SOMMER- FELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a new and useful Improvement in License-Plates, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a face View of one form of my improved plate. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective illustrating the method of application. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing a different construction. Fig. at is a cross-section 011 the line IV IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail View in perspective of the tang-receiving end. Fig. 6 is a detached detail view in perspective showing the two ends connected. Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view of the same construction. Fig. 8 is a face view of a further modified construction. Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line IX IX of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the ends of the plate illustrated in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a sectional detail view of the same construction. Fig. 12 is a-face View of a further modified construction. Fig. 13 illustrates in detail the process of connecting the ends. Fig. 1a is a view similar to Fig. 13, showing a complete connection.

Similar letters and numerals of reference refer to like parts wherever used throughout this specification.

My invention relates to the class of devices employed upon vehicles and the like to display a number, date, 850., and the forms illustrated are particularly designed for use upon bicycles as license or name plates.

In the various figures of the drawings the main body portion of the plate (designated by the letter A) comprises the face, upon which the numbers or characters may be stamped, the various other details of construction consisting in the means by which the plate is secured in position, the plate in each case being made of one piece.

I am aware of the patents issued to G. WV. Yerby, No. 198,724; XV. B.Dean,No. 289,813; C. Hernsheim, No. 527,687, and British patent to Smart, of 1885, No. 11,209, but do not desire to claim the construction therein shown and described.

In the form shown in Fig. 1 the plate is provided at one end with an extension 2, in which is out atransverse slot 3, while a tongue 4 extends from the other end, having the tip narrowed, as at 5, a hole 6, of corresponding width, being located in the body of the tongue at such a position that when the tongue has been passed through the slot 3 and bent back upon itself it may be depressed into the hole 6, fitting tightly therein and coming down flush with the surface of the tongue, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 3 the extension 2 is somewhat longer, and transverse cuts are made slightly longer than the width of the tongue 4, allowing two portions of metal 7 to be forced out so as to permit the tongue to be passed under both, and then turned backwardly and under the first again, thereby neatly securing and concealing the end of the tongue, as shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 8 but one such bulging portion is made in the eX- tension, a longitudinal cut 8 dividing it into two halves 7 '7, so as to prevent stretching of the metal, the tongue being passed under and over, as shown in Fig. 10, effectually concealing and protecting the severed ends 7.

In the form shown in Fig. 12 the metal between the body A and extension 2 is narrowed, leaving laterally-extending Wings 9, which are folded upon the tongue, as shown at one side in Fig. 13, the tongue'then being bent back upon such wings, as clearly shown in Fig. 14.

In each of the forms of construction it will be seen that the loose ends are confined and do not project outwardly or present opporo tunity for accidental dislodgment, which is a serious objection to plates unprovided with such safety devices, inasmuch as the plate may easily become displaced and lost by reason of the connection becoming uncoupled.

In making my improved plate I prefer to eTnploy a metal of low resiliency, as aluminium, which will retain such form as it is bentto without springing back.

Changes and modifications may be made 100 receiving the tip of the tongue when bent 10 around, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of June, 1896.

RUDOLF G. SOMMERFELD. V

Vitnesses:

PETER J. EDWARDS, C. M. CLARKE. 

